The Daily Sweeper (July 23)

So that fight in Columbus we just can’t hear enough about. . .Was really lame, as the video shows. In some ways it’s good that the issue of security in MLS has come up again — clubs need to hire more professional staff who understand the sport — but this whole Hudson Street Hooligans versus West Ham ICF is being blown way out of proportion when a Guardian writer is asking if “hooliganism has finally arrived in MLS” based on this. Much worse incidents have taken place in MLS with barely any press (perhaps thankfully).

Meanwhile, the Red Bulls 2006 fan of the year got banned for life from the Meadowlands for what sounds like absolutely nothing. The Red Bulls Offside has an exclusive interview with the man, who says stadium security is deliberately targeting and provoking the Red Bulls fan section, ESC.

A small supporters’ group in Carolina held their own when they were heavily outnumbered by Mexican fans as the Railhawks took on Monterray. Being an away supporter in your own stadium is not fun: good on them for keeping up the vocal support, with barely any trouble breaking out.

You’ve probably heard the news that Landon Donovan’s wants another shot at playing in Europe, believing this time he is properly prepared. So Many Balls is skeptical.

Giorgia Chinaglia hit with mob charges and on the lam. Surprised?

Abel Xavier, released by the Galaxy this week, absolutely lays into Ruud Gullit: “I know Ruud through his years in Europe. No one knows him in the United States. He was a legend. I admired him as a player, but I do not admire him as a coach. The way he conducts himself, his lack of ability to communicate with players and his way of developing the team shows a lack of respect.”

The Montreal Gazzette argues the quality gap is closing between USL and MLS, an argument bolstered as the USL’ Montreal qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League last night by holding MLS’ Toronto to a draw at home.

Europe

Simon Kuper of the FT looks at the new European Club Association (UEFA’s sanctioned successor to the G-14, chaired by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge), and concludes that “the European football family now looks pretty harmonious, as families go. Rummenigge and his fellow former legend, Michel Platini, president of Europe’s football association Uefa, want most of the same things. Behind the wild headlines about plans for anti-English witchhunts, quotas for foreign players or bans on debt, we can now see what the future of European football will be.” Which seems to be, more of the same: rich getting richer.

Unprofessional Foul tries to explain why Villareal pulled out of a charity match with Motherwell in honour of the late Phil O’Donnell. But it’s still something of a mystery, and disappointing.

The Daily Mail sits down with Alex Ferguson, who as usual, has some interesting things to say (On Man City’s ownership: “I’ve heard some unbelievable stories.”)

Alex James looks at how food has changed over the years in English grounds in the Guardian — gone are the days of the simple meat pie, as he says travelling round England now provides a “gastronomic tour”.

Today, EPL Talk has the best five shirt designs in the Premier League. None of them are very impressive.

Television coverage of football in Germany is in danger of losing a traditional cornerstone.

Spangly Princess brings us a little more detail about the weird mafia bid for control of Lazio.

Worldwide

Tim Vickery says that the idea of introducing quotas for homegrown players in the Brazilian squad is absurd.

Fifa and the representatives of the European Professional Football Leagues met this week to discuss details of Blatter’s 6+5 scheme. This incredibly unhelpful article on Fifa.com manages to tell us exactly nothing about what was actually discussed.

Meanwhile, Blatter reminds clubs yet again that releasing under-23 players for the Olympics is mandatory.

“So that fight in Columbus we just can’t hear enough about. . .Was really lame, as the video shows. In some ways it’s good that the issue of security in MLS has come up again — clubs need to hire more professional staff who understand the sport — but this whole Hudson Street Hooligans versus West Ham ICF is being blown way out of proportion when a Guardian writer is asking if “hooliganism has finally arrived in MLS” based on this. Much worse incidents have taken place in MLS with barely any press (perhaps thankfully). ”

I agree with you on previous events definitely overshadowing this nonsense as something to pay attention to, but MLS is sucking wind when it comes to addressing the specifics of security when it comes to this sport.

With all of these agreements between the MLS, The FA, Bundesliga, and god knows how many clubs around the world now, one would think that their knowledge of security would be utilized sooner, rather than after someone gets hurt or killed.

I do enjoy the safety of being an American and going to games without having to worry about the random missle or first being thrown at my head. I’m not naive enough to think we will maintain that with the decline of the dollar and rising umemployment.

With that said, after the 2006 home opener between DC United and Red Bull New York, Garber and MLS did address the rivalry between New York and DC by putting a security detail around away supporters when entering and exiting RFK and Giants Stadium as well as putting them on an already vacant upper level. This has proven useful as explosives (fireworks) and projectiles have been thrown at away support since then.

While this has been very wise, it should be common practice not the exception.

I agree entirely, Binks. Section 8 got that same treatment in New York this season (at our request) and it is the safest I’ve felt as an away supporter in MLS. That needs to be standard practice indeed.

To say that I am disappointed with events in the MLS is an understatement primarily because they were so predictable. However, I agree with you that there needs to be some kind of standard practice established which both FO’s and fans would have to adhere to.

I’m not claiming to have all the answers but I’d certainly welcome the opportunity to be involved in anything which helped develop this and indeed, would be happy to work with the MLS on the whole issue of supporter security.

Sadly, I’m not expecting the phone to ring any time soon. At least not until it’s too late.

July 24, 2008 at 11:16 amMax

With all due respect, Dougie, and I do mean all do respect, these incidents are nothing more than small altercations which are commonplace in American sports. Just because it’s football doesn’t mean it’s hooliganism, especially if it’s just 10 individuals getting into a pushing match.